Utensil washer



June 25, 1963 R. K. NOLTE ErAL 3,094,997

` UTENSIL. WASHER Filed Dec. 19, 1960 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENPRS ,6055er A/a/ TE EW//v DAM@ @aM/Es www@ June 25, 1963 R. K. NoL'rE ETAL- v3,094,997

UTENSIL WASHER 5 sheetsseet 5 Filed Deo. 19, 1960 INVENTORS ,905547K /VOL rE E pw//v DHA/,4 Con/.55

BY @we ATTORNEYS June 25,v 1963 Filed D60. 19, 1960 R. K. NOLTE ETAL UTENSIL WASHER S Sheds-Sheet 4 INVENTORS asser ATA/@LTE ATTORNEYS R. Ki NOLTE El AL June 25, 1963 UTENSIL WASHERv Filed Deo. 19. 1960 s sheets-sheet 5 www T1 .EL /05 96 (94 /64/'76 l fa IH.

.hl [Ill 1 .5. /q T :l /oa a 741-7@ y V lEil |||jf79 wwf@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,094,997 UTENSIL WASHER Robert K. Nolte, Chatham, and Edwin Dana Cowles, Freehold, NJ., assignors to Metalwash Machinery Company, Elizabeth, NJ., a co-partuership Filed Dec. i9, 1960, Ser. No. 76,846 2 Claims. (Cl. 134-46) This invention relates in general to washing machines and particularly to a new and useful semi-autornatic washing machine particularly adapted for washing pots, pans, trays `and other utensils capable of operation by a single operator with a minimum of effort.

The present invention is an improvement over washing machines of this general type particularly in the arrangement of a rotatable ring which supports articles for travel through three separate wash treatment stages and permits loading at a central station land manual rotation of the ring to each successive treatment stage. The apparatus includes at least one wash section and a rinse section symmetrically arranged about a loading section. The arrangement is such that the operator manually lfeeds a loaded section of utensils or similar materials to be washed through each of the wash and rinse stages without having to move from his position at the loading station. Successive loads may be placed on the annular utensil carrier and moved into a wash stage while the previous loads are positioned either at a re-Wash or a rinse Stage. When the materials being washed have received a full wash, re-wash and rinse treatment they are delivered back to the loading stage.

The present invention is a decided improvement over previous apparatus of this type particularly in respect to the arrangement which permits loading and unloading at a single station as well as complete control of the wash and rinse cycles either automatically or manually as desired with the operator remaining at the loading and unloading station. The washer includes means for continuously heating the wash water as well as continuously circulating it so as to minimize water consumption. If desired, the wash water may be periodically replaced with a yfresh supply. The rinse water is fed continuously from a fresh main connection and may be discharged to the sewer or delivered to the wash Water tank supply for recirculation.

The apparatus is constructed so that the operator need only load utensils onto the annular carrier and rotate the .carrier 90 degrees to position the load of trays in a rst wash stage. This rotation of the annular carrier will also bring utensils which are positioned in a rinse stage back out to the loading and unloading section.

Accordingly it is an object of lthe present invention to provide an improved article washing apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washer having a single unloading and loading station and one or more washing or rinsing stations and including means for moving articles to be washed through the respective stations and back to the single loading and unloading station.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved washing machine having an .annular rotatable loader and an annularly spaced wash and rinse station positioned thereover and means for continuously circulating wash water to at least two of these stages.

A further object of this invention is to provide a utensil washer which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its r' lce use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a utensil washer constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partly broken away of the utensil washer indicated in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation of the utensil washer indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the utensil washer;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view indicating the construction of the annular utensil loader and compartment walls;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an 4enlarged lfragmentary vertical section taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged `fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line lil-dil of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings in particular the invention as embodied therein includes a substantially rectangular rear tank portion A, an octagonal shaped combination table and shallow tank portion B which is mounted at the rear end on said tank portion A, an annular rotatable utensil carrier C and sectionalized portions including two wash sections D and E, a rinse section F, and a combination loading and unloading section G.

The rear tank portion A is supported on four short legs 10 while the front portion of the table and tank portion B is supported on long legs 12. Each of the wash sections D and E communicate at their lower ends with and drain into the tank portion A. The rinse section F includes a lower draining portion 14 which is connected through a conduit 16, an elbow 18, a conduit Ztl, and a valve 22 to an overflow trough 24 located within the tank portion A. The conduit 16 is also connected through a valve 26 to the sewer (not shown) for discharging the rinse water directly to the sewer, as desired.

The trough 24 overflows into the tank portion A but the lowermost portion thereof is connected through a conduit 28 and T-connection 30 to discharge to the sewer. The ,bottom of the :tank A may also be drained through a conduit 32, strainer 34 through the T-connection 30 into the sewer.

The =wash water in the tank portion A is heated by a so-called noiseless steam heater 36 (FIGS. l and 3) which is supplied with steam through a regulator control 38, steam trap 4t) and steam. inlet l412. The regulator 3S is provided with a temperature bulb connection 44 which extends into the tank portion A and senses the temperature therein to control the amount ofV heating steam delivered to the heater 36.

In accordance with the invention the Itable and tank portion B is provided with a central bearing sleeve 46 in which is a rotatable post 4S which carries a central circular grill hub Stl at its upper end (see FIGS. 5 and 9). Packing 51 is applied between the bearing sleeve 46 and the post d8v and a collar screw SZ seals the lower end of the sleeve 46.

In accordance with the invention the post yi8 carries a collar 54 at its lower end which carries four outstanding studs 56 which are equally angularly spaced and arranged to contact a lever arm 53 of an electrical control 60 when the post is positioned at a correct indexing position for starting of a wash or rinse cycle. Control 60 3 is electrically connected to a control panel generally designated l62 located at the front of the lapparatus (see FIGS. l and 2). The control panel regulates the timing of the wash and rinse cycles in a manner to be described more `fully hereinafter.

In accordance =with the invention the grill hub 58 forms a nucleus support vfor a sectionalized annular tray supporting member generally designated 63r (see FIGS. 2, 4 and The -utensil supporting member includes four identical complementary segmental portions 64, 66, 68 and 70. The segmental portions 64 through 78 are interlocked and connected to lthe grill hub Si) and each carries a utensil supporting frame segment generally designated 72. The utensil supporting `frame segments 7-2 each includes an inner arcuate rail 74 and a radially spaced arcuate outer rail 76. The arcuate rails 74 and 76 are interconnected :by pairs of parallel spoke members 78 arranged in side by side touching contact at the inner rail 74 but circumferentially spaced at the outer rail 76. Each pair of parallel spoke members 78 are provided with interconnecting cross members, one 8) near their inner ends and another 82 closer to the outer ends. The interconnecting members 88 and y82 are spaced to permit the supporting of a rectangular utensil or tray (not shown) which is positioned between the parallel spoke members 78 with the :bottom edge resting on the outer interconnecting member 82 and the adjacent side edge of which rests on the inner interconnecting member 80.

The complementary segmental portions 64 to '78 each include channel shaped outer members 84 which ride on rollers 86 which are secured to adjustable upstanding members '88 mounted on members 98' on the table and tank portion B. (See FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.) The channel shaped members 84 are provided with four equally spaced recesses 92, one of which receives a spring biased pin 94 when the table has been indexed ninety degrees from the previous operative position. The pin 94 is slidable within a cylinder 96 mounted on an upstanding bracket 98 on the table and tank portion B. The pin 94 is biased by a compression spring 188, the compression of which may be adj-usted by an adjustable bolt 182 which 4bears against one end of the spring. The arrangement is such that each frame supporting section 7.2 must be positioned and aligned in respect to the Wash, rinse or load and unload sections in order for the pin 94 to be enga-ged in the reycess 92.

Secured to the tray supporting member 72 in locations to demarcate the area thereabove in -four equal quarter sections are -four upstanding walls 184, 106, 108 and 110. The Walls are aligned with each edge of the segmental portions 64 to 70. A substantially octagonally shaped cover member generally designated i112 is positioned on the table portion B `and has a cut away quarter segmental portion on its front end which denes the loading and unloading section G. Two short radially extending control panels 114 and 1'16 on the cover member l112 complement any two of the walls 184, 166, 188 and 110 to close oi`1c the loading and unloading section from any of the rinse or wash sections.

Articles to be washed are loaded onto one of the segment portions as at 64 (FIG. 4). -In the present embodiment the segment portions 64 are specifically designed to support trays between the parallel members 78 with adjacent edge sides resting on respective interconnecting members 88 and 82. When the trays have been fully loaded the segmental portion is turned manually to effect rotation of the post 48 until the pin 94 fits into the next angularly spaced recess 92 and one of the outstanding studs 56 contacts the lever 58 of the control 60.

The machine may be set for automatic timed washing `and rinsing or for manual control of the washing and rinsing time. This setting is controlled by a button 118 of the control panel `62. Buttons 128 and 122 are provided for turning the mechanism on or off, respectively. A pilot light 124 indicates when the mechanism is on.

The interior of the tank in the present embodiment includes two wash sections D and E and a single rinse section F. It is within the scope of this invention to vary the number of wash and rinse sections as desired.

A pump 126 is submerged in the tank A and includes an inlet through a strainer 128 and a discharge through an upstanding riser 129 which interconnects a transverse conduit 138 at its top end land a transverse conduit 131 at its bottom end (FIGS. l and 2). The transverse conduit 131 extends through the wash section E to spaced lower distributor heads 132 and 133 for each of the wash chambers E and D, respectively. Each distributor head includes two radially extending arms 134 and 136 having upwardly and laterally extending nozzles for the discharge of wash water therethrough. Discharge of liquid through the laterally extending nozzles eiects rotation of the arms 134 and 136 to provide for better spray washing.

The upper conduit is connected to upper distributor heads 138 and 146 which supply wash water to the upper portions of wash chambers E and D, respectively. Each of the upper distributor heads 138 and 148 are provided with two outwardly extending arms 142 and 144 having laterally and downwardly extending nozzles for the discharge of wash water. These arms rotate when liquid is discharged through the nozzles.

A pressure sensitive bulb 146 is connected to the conduit 128 and the pressure in this conduit is indicated at a gauge 148 located on the panel 114. A temperature sensitive bulb 150 is also located in the conduit 128 and the temperature in this conduit is indicated on a gauge 152 on the panel 114.

When the trays or other utensils on the segment have been rotated to a position at which the lever 58 is tripped and the control 68 is actuated, wash water is admitted to each of the portions E and D through the upper and lower distributor heads 138, 140, 132 and 133 to wash the articles in the respective sections for a timed period. A pump motor 154 is mounted on top of the tank A and is electrically actuated to operate the pump 126 and deliver water to the wash sections for a definite period of time. The length of the wash cycle, of course, is adjustable by means (not shown) within the control panel. Water delivered by the pump 126 is drained directly back into the tank portion A for continuous recirculation.

After the utensils have been washed in the first wash section D they are delivered to the next wash section E for another washing. After this washing at E is completed, the post 48 is rotated by grabbing one of the sectors by hand and the articles are positioned in the rinse section F. Of course, the apparatus is such that two loads of utensils may be washed simultaneously in the sections D and E While one load is being rinsed in the section F. The walls 104, 186, 108 and 110' separate each of the sections when the post 48 is correctly indexed and the pin 94 falls into an associated recess 92.

The rinse section F is supplied through a ange 156 which is connected to a main located in the plant at the place of use. The flange connects to a vertical riser 158 (see FIG. l) which feeds rinse Water to each of horizontal upper and lower conduits 168 and 162, respectively. The conduits connect to a central distributor 164, 166, respectively, which feed radially extending arms 168.

In the present embodiment there are three radially extending arms 168 which deliver rinse water to nozzle 170 at each end of rotating nozzle spray arms 172, similar to an ordinary garden hose sprinkler. The three sets of rotating spray nozzles at the top and bottom of the rinse chamber provide a complete thorough rinsing of the articles which are positioned in the rinse section F. The conduit 166 is provided with a temperature sensitive bulb 174 which extends outward through the panel 116 and terminates in a temperature gauge 176 (FlGS. 2 and 4).

Between the flange 156 and the fresh water supply main there is provided the usual vacuum brake 178 to prevent contamination of the fresh water supply and a solenoid control valve 180 which is operable from the panel 62. A strainer 182 is also provided. The solenoid 1801 is operated by a timer in the control panel 62 to time the length of the rinse cycle in those instances where timing is desired, or, timing may be directly controlled if desired by shifting button 118 to the manual position.

Thus the invention provides a means for continuously heating and circulating a Wash water for the economical washing of articles such as trays or the like. The device may be operated by a single operator who stands at the loading and unloading station G and after he loads the trays at this station he advances the trays to the rst wash section D. Trays which have been previously put in the apparatus exit from the rinse section F after they have received the initial two stages of washing at D and E and 'a rinsing cycle at F. Thus the apparatus is very easy to control and operate and is very economical in the use of wash water and rinse water. Rinse water may be either discharged after a rinsing use or circulated back to the wash water tank.

Articles positioned in the wash chamber receive water in the form of jets from the rapidly rotating Wash water nozzles at the edges of the wash Water arms 134 and 136 and 142 and 144. Washing is complete and effective. The advantage of a double wash stage is that stopping of the wash after one cycle is effective to permit draining of dirt from the trays as well as to aord time for detergent action. 'I'he second wash stages effects complete removal of all dirt and solid matter.

The annular tray and utensil supporting sections must be indexed a correct amount in order to trip the control lever 58 and actuate the control 60. Correct indexing and holding is also being maintained by the positioning of the pin 94 in the associated recess 92. Once the utentils have been indexed to a new location the washing and rinsing cycles are automatically started if desired as determined by the positioning of the button 118. By providing for loading and unloading at a single station, the machine may be utilized eiectively to handle a great amount of utensils which are fed continuously by a single operator.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A washer comprising a substantially rectangular tank, a substantially semi-Octagonal shallow depth tank in communication with the ripper portion of said rectangular tank, an annular article supporting table rotatably mounted central of said substantially semi-Octagonal shallow-depth tank, said table including a plurality of substantially radial spoke members and cross members bridging selected pairs of said spoke members to form tray receiving pockets therebetween, said semi-octagonal shallow depth tank having a top cover portion in alignment with the top of said annular article supporting table extending horizontally outward lfrom the periphery of said supporting table, a substantially octagonal cover covering portions of said annular table and said shallow depth tank and having a cut-out portion exposing a portion of said supporting table to define a loading and unloading station, said shallow depth tank having a vertical wall portion substantially tangent to the outer periphery of said annular supporting table at the approximate horizontal midpoint of said loading and unloading station, at least two washing chambers defined above and below said table at angularly displaced locations therear-ound, at least one rinsing chamber adjacent said washing chambers, said annular supporting table including spaced radially extending upstanding Walls arranged to close off each of said washing and said rinsing chambers when said table is positioned in a correctly indexed position, indexing means to hold said table against movement when it is positioned with the walls in position to seal `oil said washing and said rinsing chambers and said loading and unloading station, means `for circulating wash water from said tank to said washing chambers, control means or said circulating means, means on said table to contact said control means to circulate wash water to said washing chambers upon indexing of said table a predetermined amo-unt, rotating Washing sprays above and below said table in said washing chambers adapted to receive wash water under pressure from said circulating means, said rinsing chamber including means ffor spraying fresh water in said rinsing chamber above and below said table, a solenoid contr-o1 valve connected to said fresh water spraying means, and means on said table for actuating said solenoid control valve upon the rotation of said table a predetermined amount.

2. The combination according to claim l, including means rfor continuously heating water in said wash water supply tank.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,424 Murray Oct. y12, 1915 1,675,192 Murdoch June 26, 1928 1,884,052 McEwan Oct. 25, 1932 2,443,091 Zademach June 8, 1948 2,671,457 Cozzoli Mar. 9, 1954 2,703,580 Cole Mar. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 6381.509 'Franse -.---f..-.1 Jam 2L, 1928 

1. A WASHER COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TANK, A SUBSTANTIALLY SEMI-OCTAGONAL SHALLOW DEPTH TANK IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID RECTANGULAR TANK, AN ANNULAR ARTICLE SUPPORTING TABLE ROTATABLY MOUNTED CENTRAL OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY SEMI-OCTAGONAL SHALLOW-DEPTH TANK, SAID TABLE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL SPOKE MEMBERS AND CROSS MEMBERS BRIDGING SELECTED PAIRS OF SAID SPOKE MEMBERS TO FORM TRAY RECEIVING POCKETS THEREBETWEEN, SAID SEMI-OCTAGONAL SHALLOW DEPTH TANK HAVING A TOP COVER PORTION IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TOP OF SAID ANNULAR ARTICLE SUPPORTING TABLE EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY OUTWARD FROM THE PERIPHERY OF SAID SUPPORTING TABLE, A SUBSTANTIALLY OCTAGONAL COVER COVERING PORTIONS OF SAID ANNULAR TABLE AND SAID SHALLOW DEPTH TANK AND HAVING A CUT-OUT PORTION EXPOSING A PORTION OF SAID SUPPORTING TABLE TO DEFINE A LOADING AND UNLOADING STATION, SAID SHALLOW DEPTH TANK HAVING A VERTICAL WALL PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENT TO THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID ANNULAR SUPPORTING TABLE AT THE APPROXIMATE HORIZONTAL MIDPOINT OF SAID LOADING AND UNLOADING STATION, AT LEAST TWO WASHING CHAMBERS DEFINED ABOVE AND BELOW SAID TABLE AT ANGULARLY DISPLACED LOCATIONS THEREAROUND, AT LEAST ONE RINSING CHAMBER ADJACENT SAID WASHING CHAMBERS, SAID ANNULAR SUPPORTING TABLE INCLUDING SPACED RADIALLY EXTENDING UPSTANDING WALLS ARRANGED TO CLOSE OFF EACH OF SAID WASHING AND SAID RINSING CHAMBERS WHEN SAID TABLE IS POSITIONED IN A CORRECTLY INDEXED POSITION, INDEXING MEANS TO HOLD SAID TABLE AGAINST MOVEMENT WHEN IT IS POSITIONED WITH THE WALLS IN POSITION TO SEAL OFF SAID WASHING AND SAID RINSING CHAMBERS AND SAID LOADING AND UNLOADING STATION, MEANS FOR CIRCULATING WASH WATER FROM SAID TANK TO SAID WASHING CHAMBERS, CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID CIRCULATING MEANS, MEANS ON SAID TABLE TO CONTACT SAID CONTROL MEANS TO CIRCULATE WASH WATER TO SAID WASHING CHAMBERS UPON INDEXING OF SAID TABLE A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT, ROTATING WASHING SPRAYS ABOVE AND BELOW SAID TABLE IN SAID WASHING CHAMBERS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE WASH WATER UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID CIRCULATING MEANS, SAID RINSING CHAMBER INCLUDING MEANS FOR SPRAYING FRESH WATER IN SAID RINSING CHAMBER ABOVE AND BELOW SAID TABLE, A SOLENOID CONTROL VALVE CONNECTED TO SAID FRESH WATER SPRAYING MEANS, AND MEANS ON SAID TABLE FOR ACTUATING SAID SOLENOID CONTROL VALVE UPON THE ROTATION OF SAID TABLE A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT. 